Tape dispenser

ABSTRACT

A TAPE DISPENSER IN WHICH TAPE IN ANY DESIRED LENGTH IS STRIPPED FROM A SUPPLY ROLL BY A POSITIVE GRIPPER, PRESENTED OUTSIDE THE DISPENSER BY A SPRING-TYPE EXTRUDER, AND SEVERED FROM THE SUPPLY ROLL BY A CUTTER BLADE CARRIED ON AN OPERATING BUTTON.

D. l. BARNARD TAPE DISPENSER Dec. 7, 1971 Filed Sept. 11, 1969 INVENTQR DAVID l. BARNARD TORNEYS Fig. 6

United States Patent 3,625,100 TAPE DISPENSER David I. Barnard, 360 Jasmine St., Denver, Colo.

Filed Sept. 11, 1969, Ser. No. 857,011 Int. Cl. B65h 51/18 US. Cl. 83-205 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a tape dispenser which mechanically dispenses any desired length of tape from a supply roll. More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved device for dispensing pressure sensitive tape without the necessity of manually touching the tape.

The varied applications for the many types of rolled tapes makes the use of some type of a dispenser a practical necessity. The simplest dispenser known in the prior art is that commonly used to dispense ordinary household transparent tape in which the roll of tape is supported by a housing which carries a cutting edge forward of the roll. The tape is dispensed by grasping the free end, stripping the desired length from the supply roll, and pulling it across the cutting edge to sever it. Operation of this type of dispenser requires the operators fingers to be placed in contact with the adhesive side of the tape thereby reducing the adhesive qualities of the tape and causing difficulties in handling the severed strip or removing it from the fingers. It is also difficult to dispense and sever an accurate desired length of tape from this type of dispenser.

In many instances it is highly desirable that the fingers not touch the adhesive side of the tape, such as for example, the dispensing of printed transparent pressure sensitive plastic tape used in the preparation of electrical wiring diagrams, schematic plumbing diagrams, architectural drawings and the like. Furthermore, in these instances it is advantageous to be able to apply an exact length of tape in a straight line and sever the tape with a neat right angle cut. The application of pressure sensitive tape in a straight line can be easily accomplished with the present invention by actuating the dispenser to initially attach the tape to the surface and then simply drawing the dispenser along a straight edge, such as a T- square, to strip the required length from the roll.

Briefly, this invention comprises a case and frame adapted to receive a roll of tape for free rotation on a hub and mount, a follower arm, an operating button, a follower actuator, and associated springs. The follower arm carries the extruder spring and follower roller which cooperates with the follower actuator to positively grip the tape. As the operating button is initially pushed down, the tape is gripped between the follower actuator and roller. Continued downward motion of the operating button along the path dictated by the case results in the follower actuator and roller cooperating to strip tape from the roll. At the same time the free end of the tape is presented outside the case by interaction between the extruder spring and case. Means are also provided to release the gripping action of the follower actuator and roller enabling free manual stripping of tape and severance of the desired length from the roll.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved dispenser for rolled tapes and particularly pressure-sensitive rolled tape.

3,625,100 Patented Dec. 7, 1971 A second objective is the provision of a device from which any length of pressure-sensitive tape can be dispensed without the necessity of manually touching the tape.

Another object is to provide a dispenser which can be used to dispense and attach pressure-sensitive tape in straight lines and accurate lengths.

A further object is to provide a dispenser which will operate to positively strip adhesive tape from the supply roll regardless of the stripping force required.

Another object is to provide a dispenser in which the dispensing operation does not depend on an adhesive bond between the tape and some part of the dispensing mechanism.

A still further object is to provide a tape dispenser which is trouble-free, compact, versatile, rugged, easy to operate, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the description of the drawings that follows, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary end view in elevation of the tape dispenser of the present invention, portions of the case and frame having been broken away to expose the interior thereof;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view in section along line 2--2 showing the internal parts in the unactuated position;

FIG. 3 is the first of five fragmentary side views showing the operative moving parts in their various progressive positions during operation and a strip of tape illustrated with a dotted line, FIG. 3 being the initial unactuated position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the operat ing button depressed to engage the follower actuator with the follower roller thus gripping the tape therebetween;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the operating button moved downwardly along the slotted case, the follower arm thereby rocked forward, and the extruder spring carried forward to present the tape outside the case;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the operative parts in position to permit free stripping of the tape from the roll; and

FIG. 7 is a 'view similar to FIG. 3 showing the operating button and cutting blade in position to sever the strip of tape and the follower arm returned to its normal position.

Referring now to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally indicates the tape dispenser housing which can be made of any suitable material including both plastic and metal. In the specific embodiment shown, the housing consists of a frame 12 and an over-fitting case 14. In the particular form shown, the case and frame are held together by a frictional fit, although, of course, they may be fastened together in other ways.

The frame 12 is shaped with a generally flat, narrow base 16 and parallel sides 18 upstanding from the longitudinal edges of the base. The front top edges of these sides are matchingly stepped down near the front to provide camming points at 19. A spindle, not shown, adapted to receive a tape supply roll 17 for free rotational movement is mounted rearwardly on one or both of the sides with the axis of rotation perpendicular thereto. The base projects forward of the sides and mounts on the top thereof, a cutting anvil 20 composed of a tough, resilient material.

The case 14, sized and formed to snugly fit over the frame and therein contained tape roll, is convexly curved at the front end about an axis perpendicular to the frame and case sides. This front end is also longitudinally slotted along the curve at 21 to carry and guide an operating assembly 22. The lower portion of the curved front end is foreshortened to provide a tape dispensing opening 24 between the case and frame base andrjust behind the cutting anvil.

Operating assembly 22 consists of an operating button 26 and a follower actuator 28. The operating button is approximately the same width as the case, concavely formed on top to provide a finger grip, and concavely curved along its length on the bottom to match the outside convex curve of the case end. A cutting blade 29 is transversely mounted on the lower front edge of the operating button in a position approximately tangent to the curved case end with the cutting edge parallel to the cutting anvil and adapted to contact the anvil upon downward movement of the operating assembly.

Follower actuator 28 includes a body which fits inside the curved case end, slides longitudinally along the inside thereof and between the upstanding frame sides, and whose top is convexly curved to match the concave inside curve of the case. A web 30 is longitudinally formed along the top of the body and projects upward through the slotted end. The web increases in height from front to back from a minimum equal to the thickness of the slotted case to a maximum equal to several times this thickness with the top thereof convexly curved to mate with the concavely curved operating button bottom. Operating button 26 and follower actuator 28 are secured together along their respective bottom and top by a fastening means, in this case screw 32, to form the operating assembly.

The underside of the follower actuator body is formed with a semi-circular, transverse recess 34 adapted to engage a follower roller, hereinafter described, with a reasonably snug fit when a strip of tape is positioned between them. Behind this recess is a transverse bearing surface 36 of sufficient width to contact and ride on the top edges of the frame. A notch 38 is transversely cut into the underside of the body to receive and retain the upper end of wire spring 40 which biases the operating assembly to its uppermost position. Wire spring 40 runs transversely across the body in notch 38, down between the outsides of the frame sides and the insides of the case sides, coils at 42 through holes 44 in each side of the case, and is restrained by inserting the free ends in holes 46 in the outsides of the case.

Tape dispensation is accomplished through the cooperation of the operating assembly with a follower assembly generally indicated by 48 and comprised of a follower arm 50, a follower roller 52, and an extruder spring 54. Follower arm '50 consists of two parallel, transversely spaced side bars 56 and 58 rigidly formed together through a web 60 extending therebetween and of a width allowing the follower arm so formed to fit between the frame sides with the side bars parallel thereto and the connecting web perpendicular thereto. The follower arm is pivotally fastened in the dispenser between the frame sides by a pivot pin 62 running perpendicularly therebetween near the bottom thereof at a point rearward of the dispensing opening a distance slightly greater than the length of the follower arm. This pivot pin 62 passes perpendicularly through the two parallel side bars near their front bottom corners. Spring 64, coiling helically around pivot pin 62 with the ends thereof bearing against the frame base and web 60, biases the follower arm into a normal substantially upright position.

The follower roller 52 is transversely and rotatably mounted near the top of the follower arm on pin 66 which runs horizontally between the two side bars 56 and 58. Because the tape passes over this roller with the adhesive side in contact therewith, the roller is annularly ribbed to reduce the contacting surface area. A guide roller 68 is rotatably mounted on pin 70 between the frame sides perpendicular thereto, near the top thereof and directly in front of the tape supply roll. This guide roller is also annularly ribbed to reduce the surface area in contact with the tapes adhesive side.

A restraining bar 72 extends between the two follower arm. side bars, perpendicular thereto, at a pointin front of and below the follower roller for the purpose of attaching and restraining the extruder spring 54. The extruder spring coils around the restraining bar with both free ends bearing against the connecting web 60 and an intermediate portion of the continuous spring wire extending forward from the coils to rest against the inside of the curved case end near the dispensing opening. This intermediate portion of the extruder spring contacts the adhesive side of the tape and holds the non-adhesive side against the inside of the case end.

In describing the operation of the dispenser, reference is made to FIGS. 3 through 7 showing the positions of various internal parts during a sequence of operation. FIG. 3 shows the dispenser internal parts in the normal unactuated position with the operating assembly 22 biased to its upmost position, the follower assembly 48 spring biased to its nearly upright position, and a length of tape stripped from the supply roll passing over guide roller 68, over follower roller 52 between that roller and transverse recess 34, and the free tape end being held against the case end just above the dispensing opening by extruder spring 54.

To effect operation of the dispenser, the operating assembly 22 is pushed with the operators thumb or finger vertically downward to grip the tape between the transverse recess 34 and the follower roller 52 as shown in FIG. 4. Operation is continued, as shown in FIG. 5, by urging the operating assembly 22 downward along the path dictated by longitudinal slot 21 while maintaining engagement of transverse recess 34 with follower roller 52. The follower assembly 48 is thereby pivotally rocked forward about pivot pin 62 and because transverse recess 34 rather snugly engages follower roller '52, the length of tape is positively gripped therebetween and is stripped or pulled from the supply roll. As follower assembly 48 is rocked forward, the intermediate portion of the extruder spring 54 is pushed downward along the inside of the case end and out through the dispensing opening carrying the free end of the tape, which it holds against the inside case end, outside the opening also.

When operating assembly 22 reaches the position shown in FIG. 5, transverse bearing surface 36 begins to contact the top edges of the frame sides and further downward movement along the slotted path causes operating assembly 22 to be cammed up, as shown in FIG. 6, thereby disengaging transverse recess 34 from follower roller 52 and terminating positive tape gripping action. At this point, tape may be freely stripped from the supply roll by moving the dispenser relative to the outside fixed tape end or by holding the free end of the tape with the fingers and manually pulling it out of the dispenser. In this manner the operator can dispense any amount of tape desired.

When the desired amount of tape has been dispensed, it may be severed from the supply roll and dispenser by pushing operating assembly 22 to its downwardmost position, as shown in FIG. 7, thereby bringing cutting blade 29 into contact with the strip of tape as it lies on cutting anvil 20. Since cutting anvil 20 is somewhat resilient and cutting blade 19 is serrated, a minimum downward force will produce a clean right-angled cut. Also as shown in FIG. 7, when tape is no longer being pulled from the supply roll, follower assembly 48 will be returned by spring 64 to its normal upright position. Upon release of operating assembly 22, spring 40 will return it to its topmost position and the severed end of the tape will be held against the inside case end near the dispensing opening by extruder spring 54. One dispensing sequence has thus been completed and the operatingparts are again in the positions shown by FIG. 3 ready for re-operation.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for rolled tape comprising:

a housing adapted to support a tape roll and permit said roll to freely rotate, said housing having a dispensing opening and adjacent said opening being convexly curved and slotted about an axis transversely intersecting said dispenser;

a tape dispensing means adapted to positively grip a segment of tape, strip said segment from said roll, and present said segment outside said housing through the dispensing opening, said tape dispensing means consisting of an operating assembly adapted for sliding motion on said convexly curved and slotted housing and a follower assembly-pivotally mounted in said housing; and

cutting means positioned adjacent the dispensing opening and adapted to sever the tape segment from said roll, the cutting means consisting of a cutting blade and a cutting anvil.

2. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 in which:

the operating assembly releasably cooperates with the follower assembly to grip and strip a segment of tape from the supply roll; and

the follower assembly cooperates with the housing to push said segment through the dispensing opening.

3. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 in which:

the follower assembly consists of a follower arm mounted in the housing for pivotal movement about an axis transversely intersecting said dispenser, a follower roller mounted on said follower arm at the end opposite said follower arms pivotal axis and freely rotatable about an axis parallel to said follower arms pivotal axis, an extruder resiliently mounted at one end on said follower arm and with the opposite end in frictional contact with the inside of the housing wall at a point adjacent the dispensing opening; and

means to resiliently urge said follower assembly into a normal unactuated position.

4. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 in which:

the cutting blade is mounted on said operating assembly tangent to and outside said curved housing with the cutting edge of said blade pointing downward toward said dispensing opening; and

the cutting anvil, composed of a tough resilient material, is positioned on the housing immediately outside said dispensing opening so as to be contactable by said cutting blade.

5. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 in which:

the operating assembly is formed with a semi-circular recess sized and positioned to releasably engage the follower roller while a segment of tape is positioned over said roller.

6. The dispenser as set forth in claim 5 in which:

a resilient means urges said operating assembly into its topmost position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,021,038 11/1935 West 83649 X 2,178,722 11/1939 De Mattia 22516 2,291,668 8/1942 Weigolt 83649 X 2,636,691 4/1953 Fritzinger 225 15 X 2,780,286 2/1957 Sharpe 83-649 X 3,386,634 6/1968 Corry 225-16 3,466,963 9/1969 Palson et al. 225-46 JAMES M. M'EISTER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

